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The Social Media and Minorities project was introduced early this week in Istanbul by the chair of the Association of Yeniköy Greek Orthodox Church of Panagia, Laki Vingas. Ulaş Karan from the Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center and other contributors from the Hrant Dink Association attended. During the meeting, Vingas said: "The project is being conducted and financially supported by Turkey and the EU under the Civil Society Dialogue program."

Vingas also emphasized the significance of the project, and said that social media is an important tool for minority groups to be used for integrating into society. While the project aims for freedom of expression in social media by suggesting modifications to prevent racism and hate speech, it encourages the integration of minorities into society and communities through social media. Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center will examine the situation of minorities in Turkey under the regulation of legislation.

The most significant part of the project will be carried out by one of the most credible polling companies in Turkey, KONDA Research and Consultancy. KONDA will conduct a comprehensive survey of 1,000 individuals. The purpose of the survey is to provide detailed qualitative and quantitative information on minority groups' use of social media. There will also be numerous conferences, workshops and seminars for minority groups to acknowledge their rights of use in social media.

The Civil Society Dialogue was established in 2008. It includes 16 media projects and is co-financed by the EU and the Republic of Turkey under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The Ministry for EU Affairs is responsible for the technical implementation of the program, while the Central Finance and Contracts Unit is the contracting authority of the program. Additionally, the Association of Yeniköy Greek Orthodox Church of Panagia is conducting the Social Media and Minorities project along with two other contributors, the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy and Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center.

Furthermore, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been devoting notable efforts toward granting further rights to Turkey's minority groups via different sources. The Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Volkan Bozkır, said last November that "all reforms toward providing rights to minority groups in Turkey have been initiated by the AK Party since 2002." Bozkır also said: "Turkey is moving to become a more peaceful environment for all individuals from different backgrounds." In addition, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu continuously emphasizes the importance of diversity and that cultural and faith-based diversities in Turkey bring enrichment to Turkey's society.